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How to Start a Painting Business in New Zealand

Q: Do you need a licence to be a painter in New Zealand?

No. Painting is not restricted building work under the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme, so you don't need an LBP licence to paint in New Zealand. You must still meet health-and-safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, consumer obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act, and any council requirements. If your work touches restricted building work or larger building consents, different rules can apply — check with your local council and WorkSafe NZ.

Q: How do I register a painting business in New Zealand?

Get an IRD number for your business (a sole trader uses their personal IRD number; a company gets its own). Apply for a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) — free, and increasingly expected by suppliers and clients. If you incorporate, register the company with the Companies Office. Register for GST once turnover crosses the threshold, and set up as an employer with Inland Revenue if you'll hire staff. This is general information — confirm with Inland Revenue and business.govt.nz.

Q: When do painters have to register for GST in New Zealand?

GST registration is compulsory once your turnover reaches or is expected to reach NZ$60,000 in any 12-month period. Below that, registration is voluntary. GST is 15%, added to your price. Once registered you charge GST, claim it back on business purchases, and file returns with Inland Revenue. Confirm the current threshold and rate with IRD.

Q: What insurance and ACC does a painter need in New Zealand?

New Zealand doesn't have private workers' compensation — instead, ACC (the Accident Compensation Corporation) covers work injuries, and levies are compulsory for anyone earning self-employed or PAYE income. Beyond ACC, public liability insurance is the core commercial cover — NZ$1 million to NZ$5 million is typical, with higher limits often required on commercial contracts. Tools and plant cover and professional indemnity are optional extras. Check current ACC levy rules and each contract's insurance minimums.

Q: Can I run a painting business as a sole trader in New Zealand?

Yes. Sole trader is the simplest structure — you trade under your own IRD number, report business income in your personal return, pay ACC levies, and register for GST at the NZ$60,000 threshold. The trade-off is personal liability for business debts. Many painters start as sole traders and incorporate a company later as they grow or take on staff. An accountant can advise for your situation.

Painting isn't restricted building work in New Zealand, so you need no LBP licence to paint. You will need an IRD number, an NZBN, public liability insurance (commonly NZ$1–5 million), compulsory ACC levies (NZ has no private workers' comp), and GST registration once turnover reaches NZ$60,000. This is the starting checklist — verify current rules with Inland Revenue, WorkSafe NZ and business.govt.nz.

The essentials at a glance

Requirement	What it is	Threshold / authority
Painter licence	Licence to work as a painter	None — painting isn't restricted building work under the LBP scheme
IRD number	Tax identification for the business	Inland Revenue (personal number for sole traders; company gets its own)
NZBN	New Zealand Business Number	Free, via the NZBN register
Public liability	Covers third-party injury or property damage	Typically NZ$1M–$5M; higher on commercial contracts
ACC levies	Compulsory accident cover in place of workers' comp	ACC — levied on self-employed and PAYE earnings
GST	Goods and Services Tax registration	Compulsory at NZ$60,000 turnover; 15% rate

General information, not legal or financial advice. New Zealand tax, insurance, ACC and health-and-safety rules change. Figures here are indicative and current at the time of writing (2026). Verify every requirement with Inland Revenue, ACC, WorkSafe NZ and business.govt.nz, and take advice from an accountant before you start trading.

1. Choose your structure

Most painters start as a sole trader — trade under your own IRD number, report business income in your personal return, and keep things simple and cheap. The trade-off is personal liability for business debts. A company limits your liability and can suit growth or taking on staff, but adds Companies Office filing and running costs. Talk to an accountant about which fits your plans.

2. Register: IRD number and NZBN

You'll trade on an IRD number (your personal one as a sole trader, or the company's if you incorporate). Apply for a free New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) — it's a unique identifier that suppliers, clients and government increasingly expect, and it makes invoicing and procurement smoother. If you set up a company, register it with the Companies Office first, which issues the NZBN automatically.

3. Licensing — painting is generally exempt

Painting is not restricted building work, so there's no Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) requirement to paint. That said, you still owe full duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and consumer duties under the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act. If a job crosses into restricted building work or needs a building consent, check with your local council, because different rules apply.

4. ACC and insurance

New Zealand handles work injury differently from most countries: there's no private workers' compensation. Instead, ACC covers work-related injuries, and levies are compulsory for anyone earning self-employed or PAYE income — budget for them from your first year. On top of ACC, public liability insurance is the cover clients expect: NZ$1–5 million is typical, with higher limits on commercial and government contracts. Add tools and plant cover, and professional indemnity if you advise on coatings.

5. GST and tax

Register for GST once turnover reaches or is expected to reach NZ$60,000 in a 12-month period — below that it's voluntary. GST is 15%, added to your price; you charge it, claim it back on business purchases, and file returns with Inland Revenue. If you employ staff, you'll also run PAYE. Clean bookkeeping and estimating software that separates cost from sell keep this tidy from the start.

6. Price for profit

The quickest way to sink a new painting business is to underquote. Build every price from your real loaded labour cost — wages plus ACC, KiwiSaver and holiday pay — and add a margin that survives a slow month. Surfacely measures the job, applies your real costs and production speed, and derives a sell price that protects your margin. See painting labour rates by region and how to quote a painting job.

Related guides

FAQ

Do you need a licence to be a painter in New Zealand?

No — painting isn't restricted building work, so no LBP licence is required. You must still meet Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 duties and consumer obligations, and check council rules for consented work.

How do I register a painting business in New Zealand?

Use your IRD number (or the company's), apply for a free NZBN, register a company with the Companies Office if incorporating, register for GST at the threshold, and set up as an employer if you'll hire.

When do painters have to register for GST in New Zealand?

Once turnover reaches or is expected to reach NZ$60,000 in a 12-month period. GST is 15%, added to your price. Below the threshold it's voluntary.

What insurance and ACC does a painter need in New Zealand?

ACC levies are compulsory (there's no private workers' comp). Public liability insurance of NZ$1–5 million is the core commercial cover, with higher limits on commercial contracts. Tools and professional indemnity are optional.

Can I run a painting business as a sole trader in New Zealand?

Yes — it's the simplest structure. You trade under your IRD number, pay ACC levies, and register for GST at NZ$60,000. The trade-off is personal liability for business debts.